280 SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



can compare with the English in the value they have set 

 upon this noble tree. 



England has borne some magnificent Oaks. Evelyn 

 mentions two that grew in Suffolk, which were of immense 

 size, and were used in building the Royal Sovereign ; 

 another, that shaded a circumference of five hundred 

 and sixty yards ; under which two thousand four hun- 

 dred and twenty men could find convenient shelter ; and 

 a yet larger, near the gate of the water walk at Magdalen 

 College, of which the branches stretched sixteen yards 

 from the stem. Of this last, Dr. Hunter tells us, that it 

 was blown down on the 29th of June 1789, after having 

 stood on classic ground nearly five hundred years. It was 

 generally known by the name of Addison's Oak, Addison 

 having shown a regard for it by placing a bench under 

 its shade, on which he frequently reposed himself after 

 walking. 



In Lord Norris's Park, at Rycote, was an Oak, of 

 which Evelyn says " it extended its arms fifty-four feet, 

 under which three hundred and four horses, or four 

 thousand three hundred and seventy-four men may suf- 

 ficiently stand." 



Martyn speaks of three Oaks planted by Chaucer in 

 Dennington Park, which grew to a great size ; one 

 was called the King's, the second the Queen's, and the 

 third, Chaucer's Oak. 



At Morley, in Cheshire, grew an Oak, supposed when 

 measured to be eight hundred years old ; the trunk, 

 which was hollow, was forty-two feet in circumference ; 

 it had for many years been used for housing cattle. 

 Tradition says that Edward the Black Prince once dined 

 under its shade. 



The boughs of an Oak in Work sop Park measured, 



